Define gossip....

[ByTheSpirit]

Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.

What is gossip?

In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.

 

[probinson]

Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.

What is gossip?

In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.

Hmm.. So after 2 weeks and 25 posts, you've determined what "trends" there are here? Who are you again?

In any event, in the thread mentioned, someone posted an anonymously sourced photograph from the blog of an alternative newspaper and claimed that it was representative of the state of all of western Christianity. That's hardly the same thing as warning people about false teaching. It is, however, a prime example of the confirmation bias prevalent in many people.

Besides that, most of the self-proclaimed, self-appointed "discernment" folks look nothing at all like Jesus on the whole. One other trend you'll notice (if you're paying attention at all) is that most of these folks NEVER (OK. almost never) have anything positive, encouraging or edifying to say about anyone. It's almost laughable that they pull scriptures like the one in your OP out to prove that Jesus "gossiped".

A while back, I started a thread on the difference between heresy hunters and Pharisee hunters, as it was suggested on this forum that there was no difference between the two. So I did a study on the topic, and that thread is the result of that study. It's true that Jesus was quite critical of the Pharisees, but it's also true that Jesus never "hunted" them nor sought them out.

Most of what passes for "warnings" and "discernment" sounds remarkably similar to how the Pharisees responded to the man who was born blind being healed by Jesus. This is how I concluded the thread;

So what is the point of all of this? Why have I taken the time to write all this? Because I want you to see how Pharisees work. They’ll claim the thing you experienced is not real, is not of God, is from a “sinner”. They’ll investigate and interrogate you, and no answer will suffice. They’re convinced before they start that they’re right and you’re wrong. If you disagree with them long enough, they’ll call you a sinner and toss you aside.

This same thing happens today. There are people out there “hunting” for what they perceive to be wrong. They have set themselves up as experts, and they’ll try to convince you that you need to listen to them and “Give glory to God”. But they don’t really want you to do that. They want you to concede that what you experienced was not of God, simply because they say it’s not.

You see, you’re not as smart as they are. They know better. They’re not “blind” and “deceived” like you are. So you need to listen to them. You need to make sure that any and all experiences you have with God pass muster with them and meet their explicit approval. If you don’t, well then, you’re a sinner, just like the guy who healed you.

These are the people that Jesus stood against, and these are the people we should stand against as well. We should “beware the yeast of the Pharisees” and purge it from amongst us. But you don’t have to “hunt” for them. They will find you as you seek after God. And when you dare to respond to them, they’ll say “how dare you lecture us”, call you hypocrites, and worse. They did it to Jesus, so we’d be foolish not to expect it ourselves.
​

 

[Frogster]

Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.

What is gossip?

In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.

the gossip word is used to silence apposing thought, because the proponents of the sealed ideolgy do not want it challenged. John gossiped.

1 John 3:9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.



Paul.
2 Tim 2:16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

 

[probinson]

the gossip word is used to silence apposing thought, because the proponents of the sealed ideolgy do not want it challenged.

I assume you mean opposing thought.

I have no problem with opposing "thought", but most of what is posted doesn't demonstrate "thought" so much as the ability use a concordance to proof-text.

John gossiped.

...

Paul.

John and Paul were apostles devoted to setting up church's and they sacrificed just about all they had for those people. That's hardly the same thing as some anonymous, dubious "frog" hiding behind the Internet who won't even be truthful about his own identity with the people he talks with.

John and Paul (and the other apostles) spent a great deal of time building up, encouraging and edifying those people. They were absolutely right to protect what they had labored for and built.

What have you built lately, Pinetree?

 

[Frogster]

Actually, in 2 Corinthians Paul really tackles false apostles, as he used sarcasm and hot rhetoric too.

he was amazed how they put up with those who were subjugating them.


Perhaps they should have learned how to gossip about those who took their money, and were abusive.


2 Cor 11:20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

I am pro gossip!

 

[Frogster]

No doubt, they thought they were smart too.


2 Cor 11:19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!

 

[Frogster]

I assume you mean opposing thought.

I have no problem with opposing "thought", but most of what is posted doesn't demonstrate "thought" so much as the ability use a concordance to proof-text.



John and Paul were apostles devoted to setting up church's and they sacrificed just about all they had for those people. That's hardly the same thing as some anonymous, dubious "frog" hiding behind the Internet who won't even be truthful about his own identity with the people he talks with.

John and Paul (and the other apostles) spent a great deal of time building up, encouraging and edifying those people. They were absolutely right to protect what they had labored for and built.

What have you built lately, Pinetree?

The rules say to address the post, not the poster, as far as the red above, lets follow rules bro.

 

[back2thebible]

gossip is anything you would not say directly to the person your speaking about

 

[Willie T]

And Clinton said, "How do you define, "sex"?

 

[Frogster]

depends on what the meaning of is, is.

 

[hislegacy]

Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.

What is gossip?

In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.

Agreed - provided we should do it like Jesus did.

Did He ever bring the subject up again? Did He spend day after day going into specifics - which Pharisee did He name? Did Jesus tell this to the multitudes? Did Jesus travel about saying BEWARE! BEWARE!?

If you are going to support a position based on Scripture, please be prepared to follow the example as Jesus did.

 

[Frogster]

oh my! paul gossiped and even wanted retribution of poor ole alexander.


2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.

 

[hislegacy]

The rules say to address the post, not the poster, as far as the red above, lets follow rules bro.

Should we follow the all the rules, or just the ones that allow us to do as we please?

 

[Frogster]

address the post, not the poster, them beeees da rules

 

[Frogster]

now lets stay on topic.

 

[Frogster]

Next we will hear someone say.."touch not my anointed", to uphold the dreaded gossip fear, the control mechanism word that many false leaders wield, to subordinate the sheep as they impose judgment for those who "gossip". When the sheep feel as though they gossip, it's because a reflex self afflicting punishment is attached to the word.

 

[Frogster]

A guilt bound fear consciousness is where sheep subordination thrives, as the pulpit becomes mount sinai.

 

[back2thebible]

oh my! paul gossiped and even wanted retribution of poor ole alexander.


2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.

He was telling the facts of the situation, if face to face with the man Alexander the metal worker Paul would of told him the same

gossip is speaking in a way you would not speak in front of that person, which is why many times its done in whispers

 

[probinson]

The rules say to address the post, not the poster, as far as the red above, lets follow rules bro.

Ah I see. So while you accuse others of using the word "gossip" to silence opposition, you use "the rules" to silence your opposition? Convenient.

You think that it's OK, and you've even posted scriptural justification for calling people out by name, yet you want to hide behind "the rules" when I call you and your dishonesty out. I thought you'd be thrilled that I was calling you out, you know, just like Paul and John did.

Let's try to be honest for just a moment here, Pinetree; the only reason you post about "the rules" is in an attempt to silence your opposition. If you were really concerned about following the rules (you know, all the rules, not just the ones that you find convenient to stifling your opposition), you wouldn't be posting anything on this forum for reasons both you and I know are true.

Are you pleased that I'm calling you out yet? Isn't that the point of the OP? That we should call people out whose behavior is questionable and mark them? Or do you only want that principle to apply to everyone else except yourself?

Thank you for the object lesson though. You've demonstrated that most people don't really agree with what the OP suggests, at least not when it comes to their own behavior. They want to be able to call out and label others with impunity, but boy howdy don't you dare call them out or else they'll try to silence you with "the rules".

 

[WordofHisPower]

Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.

What is gossip?

In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:

Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.

What goes on here is not a spiritual leader dealing with a genuine body of Christ issue. It's unproven accusations by non-leaders, against those they doctrinally disagree with, which is slander and badmouthing.

How much time do you who publicly criticize others spend praying for those you consider "false teachers"? You might find God telling you it's you who are believing false doctrines, not them.